NPR Topics: Healthcare https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1027 The state of healthcare, health insurance, new medical research, disease prevention, and drug treatments. Interviews, news, and commentary from NPR's correspondents. Subscribe to podcasts. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:49:02 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: Healthcare https://www.npr.org/sections/healthcare A NY hospital tried to close its birthing center. This city united to fight back Democrats and Republicans in Troy, New York, took on a national Catholic health system and kept the county's last birthing center open. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/01/nx-s1-5945612/baby-new-york-hospital-birth https://www.npr.org/2026/09/01/nx-s1-5945612/baby-new-york-hospital-birth

Democrats and Republicans in Troy, New York, took on a national Catholic health system and kept the county's last birthing center open.

(Image credit: Katherine Bruno)

]]> Noam Levey A conversation about doctors, addiction patients and stigma We take an in-depth look at how stigma among clinicians makes it hard for many patients with alcohol or drug disorders to get treatment sparked a huge audience response and a lot of questions. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:52:43 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/28/nx-s1-5945729/a-conversation-about-doctors-addiction-patients-and-stigma https://www.npr.org/2026/08/28/nx-s1-5945729/a-conversation-about-doctors-addiction-patients-and-stigma We take an in-depth look at how stigma among clinicians makes it hard for many patients with alcohol or drug disorders to get treatment sparked a huge audience response and a lot of questions.

]]> Brian Mann FDA approves breakthrough pancreatic cancer drug The FDA has approved a new drug to treat pancreatic cancer. NPR's A Martinez speaks with Adam Feuerstein, who writes for the science and health website STAT. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 04:45:55 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/27/nx-s1-5945286/fda-approves-breakthrough-pancreatic-cancer-drug https://www.npr.org/2026/08/27/nx-s1-5945286/fda-approves-breakthrough-pancreatic-cancer-drug The FDA has approved a new drug to treat pancreatic cancer. NPR's A Martinez speaks with Adam Feuerstein, who writes for the science and health website STAT.

]]> A Martínez Becerra, running for governor of California, faces a health insurance problem The nation's uninsured rate hit a historical low when Xavier Becerra was health secretary. Now he wants to be California's next governor as Trump's actions have driven people off health insurance. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 08:50:09 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/23/nx-s1-5941143/california-governor-xavier-becerra-health-insurance https://www.npr.org/2026/08/23/nx-s1-5941143/california-governor-xavier-becerra-health-insurance

The nation's uninsured rate hit a historical low when Xavier Becerra was health secretary. Now he wants to be California's next governor as Trump's actions have driven people off health insurance.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan)

]]> Christine Mai-Duc Costco to offer Medicare Advantage plan NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with Wall Street Journal reporter Anna Wilde Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:45:48 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/21/nx-s1-5938226/costco-to-offer-medicare-advantage-plan https://www.npr.org/2026/08/21/nx-s1-5938226/costco-to-offer-medicare-advantage-plan NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with Wall Street Journal reporter Anna Wilde

]]> Sacha Pfeiffer Medicare's pilot GLP-1 discount program has a catch. Some sick patients don't qualify Medicare launched a pilot program that could streamline the process to get GLP-1s, with some seniors paying just $50 a month. But many people with the most serious illnesses won't get that discount. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:41:49 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5931390/medicares-pilot-glp-1-discount-program-has-a-catch-some-sick-patients-dont-qualify https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5931390/medicares-pilot-glp-1-discount-program-has-a-catch-some-sick-patients-dont-qualify Medicare launched a pilot program that could streamline the process to get GLP-1s, with some seniors paying just $50 a month. But many people with the most serious illnesses won't get that discount.

]]> Jackie Fortiér 'This...impacts everyone': Missouri couple brings dementia care to medical deserts An estimated 7.4 million Americans live with dementia. That figure is expected to climb in the coming decades. One Missouri couple is on a mission to bring more dementia care to medical deserts. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:11:35 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5927463-e1/this-impacts-everyone-missouri-couple-brings-dementia-care-to-medical-deserts https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5927463-e1/this-impacts-everyone-missouri-couple-brings-dementia-care-to-medical-deserts An estimated 7.4 million Americans live with dementia. That figure is expected to climb in the coming decades. One Missouri couple is on a mission to bring more dementia care to medical deserts.

]]> Luke Nozicka States hope federal funds will help offset Medicaid cuts for rural hospitals Over the next five years, states hope to get an influx of federal funds to invest in rural health care. Some hospitals say the funding won't offset what they'll lose in Medicaid cuts. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:51:02 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/17/nx-s1-5878420/states-hope-federal-funds-will-help-offset-medicaid-cuts-for-rural-hospitals https://www.npr.org/2026/08/17/nx-s1-5878420/states-hope-federal-funds-will-help-offset-medicaid-cuts-for-rural-hospitals Over the next five years, states hope to get an influx of federal funds to invest in rural health care. Some hospitals say the funding won't offset what they'll lose in Medicaid cuts.

]]> Natalie Krebs 'What are we going to do?' The mom of a trans teen grapples with Trump's Medicaid move A longtime Republican living in California says the Trump administration's continuing actions to target transgender youth take a personal toll. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 07:54:19 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/16/nx-s1-5932491/transgender-health-care-medicaid-trump-oz https://www.npr.org/2026/08/16/nx-s1-5932491/transgender-health-care-medicaid-trump-oz

A longtime Republican living in California says the Trump administration's continuing actions to target transgender youth take a personal toll.

(Image credit: Marvin Joseph)

]]> Selena Simmons-Duffin A midwife crosses 'maternity deserts' to make a difference for Black moms and babies New research from the March of Dimes says more than half of U.S. counties have no labor and delivery hospitals. One Black midwife tries to make a difference for moms in Alabama.  Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/11/nx-s1-5678523/maternity-desert-birth-midwife-black-moms-babies https://www.npr.org/2026/08/11/nx-s1-5678523/maternity-desert-birth-midwife-black-moms-babies

New research from the March of Dimes says more than half of U.S. counties have no labor and delivery hospitals. One Black midwife tries to make a difference for moms in Alabama. 

(Image credit: Maria Fabrizio)

]]> Kristin Wright